Blood Work

Thanks to a heart transplant, former FBI agent Terrell McCaleb is enjoying a quiet retirement, renovating the fishing boat he lives on in Los Angeles Harbor. But McCaleb's calm seas turn choppy when a story in the "What Happened To?" column of the LA Times brings him face-to-face with the sister of the woman whose heart now beats in his chest.

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Publisher's Summary

Thanks to a heart transplant, former FBI agent Terrell McCaleb is enjoying a quiet retirement, renovating the fishing boat he lives on in Los Angeles Harbor. But McCaleb's calm seas turn choppy when a story in the "What Happened To?" column of the LA Times brings him face-to-face with the sister of the woman whose heart now beats in his chest. From her, McCaleb learns a terrible truth: that the donor of his heart was not killed in an accident, as he'd been told, but was murdered.

Wracked with guilt over the fact that he's alive because another human being was killed, McCaleb embarks on a private investigation of his donor's murder - a crime as horrific as anything he ever encountered as a serial killer investigator for the FBI.

After reading the publisher's summary, I was concerned that the book might be uninteresting or a bit slow. Fortunately, I did not pass this book up!

Blood Work is very engrossing story that kept my interest throughout. In the end, I liked this book enough to write a positive review.

Before writing this review, I checked out Amazon.com and found that there are (at the time of this writing) 188 reviews. Most all the reviewer praised this book. Additionally, I discovered that Blood Work was turned into a movie that is acted and directed by Clint Eastwood. At the end of the book, the author Michael Connelly, acknowledges all those who significantly helped him write this book. Interest that Connelly mentions that the actor Clint Eastwood was an initial reviewer of the manuscript.

Overall, every book that I have read by Michael Connelly, I have liked very much, and I can highly recommend all that I have read...

The Narrator Dick Hill is one of my favorite readers. His voice really fits my idea of the main character, FBI agent McCaleb. I never imagined a persona like Clint Eastwood stereotype when hearing Dick Hills voice.

In this reading, Dick Hill also does an amazing Hispanic accent. I am always amazed by the range of characters Dick can sound like! Check out other books narrated by Dick Hill, by clicking on the NARRATOR hyper-link "Dick Hill".

The last book I read, prior to this book, narrated by Dick Hill was Tripwire written by Lee Child (also an excellent author and narrator combination).

If you like FBI characters, I highly recommend books with the character Pendergast (a FBI agent, independently wealthy, and not a stereotype FBI character) written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child and books by Nelson DeMille. I suggest that you start with The Cabinet of Curiosities and The Lion';s Game (by the aforementioned authors respectively).

I have read a lot of the newer books by Connelly but this is really good. I love the Bosch books but have only listened to one other Terry McCaleb book. Very suspensful and well developed characters and plot. Really enjoyed it.

What a thriller! Although it starts off slowly and takes several hours of listening to really grip you, once you are sucked into the story you will find that you can't put it down and must find out what happens next. Nothing is typical about this mystery and several surprises are in store. I found myself guessing (wrongly) who the killer was and was pleasantly surprised with the way the plot wove together. Great story. I was glad to have known nothing about the story beforehand so I'm purposely not writing anything about the story in this review other than to say if you enjoy a good thriller you will likely enjoy this one. It's not highly graphic and not the kind that makes you afraid of every bump you hear. Just a good, enjoyable thriller with unexpected plot twists and turns. Enjoy!

This book is based around the character Terry McCaleb an ex FBI agent recovering from a heart transplant. He is approached by the sister of his heart's donor to find her murderer. Up until now, he didn't know anything about his donor, and especially that it was from a murder victim. Thus, the whole story really starts getting interesting, as he gets help from a lot of unlikely allies. He also, has his problems with cops that are resentful for him trying to help with the case. It may be somewhat predictable, but still has a few surprises, and doesn't disappoint in the long run. Of course, Dick Hill, does his usual outstanding narration.

The movie was pathetic. The book, amazing! Everything by Connelly is great and this is one of his best. Dick Hill is one of the best readers out there. I had this book when all you could get them on was cassette, and the truest test of a great audiobook is, would you buy it again to listen to it a second time. Money well spent. TWICE

This book takes you on an emotional and suspenseful rollercoaster. Just when you think you have things figured out you're thrown through a loop. I have read all of Connelly's books on all his character series and Bloodwork is one of my favorites. You have an ex-FBI agent conducting his own investigation by his own rules and a genuinely original reason for doing so (don'ty want to spoil it for those who haven't heard it yet).

In addition, Dick Hill is one of my favorite narrators because of the range of characters he can pull off.... women, hispanic, russian. I wish he narrated all of Connelly's books. You will not be disappointed in any way with Blood Work!

Some of Connelly's books are better than others. This is a really good listen. There are some new characters in this story and lots of exciting action. I believe tis is the only Connelly novel that has been made into a movie.

This was a great listen for this genre. The characters were well-developed and the story was surprising at times. Connelly is a solid writer and Dick Hill did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Michael Connelly never disappoints. Brilliant characters, great plot. If this was a book it would be a page-turner... as an audio book it's a 'Don't interrupt me, I'm LISTENING!' sort of experience. The type that makes you sit in your car long after you've reached your destination just to hear a bit more.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Tom

West Wickham, United Kingdom

2/7/10

Overall

"Very good thriller"

This is rather different from Michael Connelly's other books, most of which feature the LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch. The hero this time is a retired FBI agent who has had a heart transplant, and it is this fact around which the author weaves a typically well plotted, intriguing and exciting story, with a non-stop narrative momentum. A super thriller right up to Michael Connelly's impressively high and consistent standards. Very well narrated by Dick Hill. Strongly recommended, particularly if you like Michael Connelly.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Caro

Cornwall

6/2/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great story, great narration"

What other book might you compare Blood Work to, and why?

I really enjoy Michael Connelly's Bosch book series, this is up there with them. His plotting is really clever and surprising as it is in the Bosch books. I still marginally prefer the character of Bosch as read by Dick Hill, but McAleb is a great character too.

What does Dick Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He is one of my top two narrators, he brings a filmic quality to listening - his characters are alive - such a gifted reader.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

M

Kilwinning, United Kingdom

1/6/12

Overall

"Another terrific novel from an outstanding writer"

I have only listened to four Michael Connelly novels and they were all excellent. Of the four, this is probably my favourite. It has a very good plot with a story line that is populated by realistic and well drawn characters. The pace is good and there are elements of suspense that work very well in an audible book. There are also twists and turns that keep you guessing. If you like entertaining thriller/suspense novels then you will enjoy this.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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